David Hendley on wed 30 apr 03
Kelly, you may well want to buy a reversing wheel anyway, but
it is not at all necessary for your student with one hand.
My one-armed friend John Logan always used a standard
wheel, and, using a coil-and-throw technique, was able to
make pots over a foot tall.
It doesn't matter if one has only a left hand or only a right
hand, it is still natural and normal to work on the right side
of the form, as the wheel is going counter-clockwise.
After all, when working with two hands, they are both working
on the right side.
BTW, in the 25 years I've owned my Pacifica wheel, I don't
think I have ever reversed it, except to see that it really does
reverse.
I am left-handed all-the-way, but when it comes to using
machines and tools, I always use standard "right-handed"
models by simply learning with them: Scissors, guitars,
potters wheels.
If I were a pottery teacher, I would not have reversing wheels
in the classroom. Everyone would learn on standard
equipment. Anyone determined to have the wheel spinning
the other direction could use a kickwheel.
The safety switch they stared putting on power tools in recent
years is a pain for lefties. The idea is that your thumb will
depress the safety switch, then your index finger will start
the motor. When using them left-handed, your palm must depress
the safety button.
As a youth, I did use a left-handed baseball glove.
David Hendley
Maydelle, Texas
----- Original Message -----
From: "primalmommy"
> I have a student with one hand. With smaller pots he can use the hand he
> has, pulling toward himself, but as he gets more skilled and wants to
> work bigger, wider, taller, he's working into his own fingertips. I am
> looking into spending my tax refund on a student level creative
> industries wheel simply BECAUSE it will reverse directions between
> students.
>
> Yours, Kelly in Ohio
Lee Love on thu 1 may 03
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Hendley"
> My one-armed friend John Logan always used a standard
> wheel, and, using a coil-and-throw technique, was able to
> make pots over a foot tall.
> BTW, in the 25 years I've owned my Pacifica wheel, I don't
> think I have ever reversed it, except to see that it really does
> reverse.
> I am left-handed all-the-way, but when it comes to using
> machines and tools, I always use standard "right-handed"
> models by simply learning with them: Scissors, guitars,
> potters wheels.
I am a lefty and I learned to throw clockwise, but I often trim counter-
clockwise. Also, if you coil and throw or throw by adding sections or
additional rings to complete a neck or lip on a large piece, it is really useful
if your wheel will turn both ways, Makes it easier to smooth where the coils
join. I had to do this today on a large pot I finished the top by adding a
coil. It is also handy if you happen to torc the clay too much: if you
reverse direction, you can easily take the kinks out. It is also handy when
decorating, if you can go in either direction. If you do chatter-mark
decoration, it is really useful if you can turn in either direction. This
allows for more variation.
One of the features I appreciate with the old shimpos is that you can take
them out of gear and this allows the head to turn by hand freely in either
direction.
I don't comprehend a wheel that won't go both ways. A little like
having a car that doesn't have reverse. ;^)
If I taught, my preferred wheel for my students would be a Korean
kickwheel. It is more meditative and I think better for your back and legs
because you are moving both feet (I pull with my left foot and kick with my
right.)
--
Lee Love
Mashiko JAPAN Ikiru@hachiko.com
"Life is an expression not so much of matter as of its informing spirit."
--Joe Campbell
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